Opinions About Products I Got at My Shower

I love the Dr.Brown bottles. I used them all the time. (I was breastfeeding and pumping too). I used them for the first 4 months.

Hello there,

Dr. Brown's are the best, I used them when my baby was little, she is 2 1/2 years now. I think it's great to breastfeed omly, I did it, a lot of work but is very rewarding, LOVED IT!!!

We tried the diaper genie thing and hated it. You end up emptying that thing just as often if not more. Also, the refills are expensive.

I used the Advent bottles (a gift), as well as the plain old Gerber ones, and they both seemed to work just fine. My daughter didn't have A LOT of gas, but when she did I found for her the WalMart brand of gas drops worked better than the name brand, AND it was about half the price.

I didn't have a diaper genie, and I did just fine. Maybe you could exchange it for something you KNOW you will need, like diapers or more bottles?

I didn't have that tub, but the one I had I found to be a huge pain. I just used the reg tub and a lot of care and attention. :)

Hope this helped!

As for the tub. I have three children and used a tub for my first. But by the time I had my third I relized it was a hassle and much easily to put a towel in the bottom of the tub. You can also get a sponge, but they never completely dry out and can harbor bacteria.

i used formula exclusively and LOVED Dr. Brown's bottles. they are the only brand i have ever tried. My child never spit up or had collic. We also used the Mylicon drops for gas. I even bought the generic store brand after a while. Hope this helps.M.(1 son 15 mos old)

Hi E.,
This is just my opinion about the Dr. Brown's bottles..

I too asked for them for my shower and they were the worst bottles I could've used! The nipple hole was way too small and that just ended up giving my son more gas. It broke my heart seeing him so miserable and he cried all the time until I could get him to burp.

In the end, I ended up buying Avent bottles and they are wonderful! (And less expensive than Dr. Brown's) Avent has several different nipples to choose from ie; newborn, 3-6 mos, etc. I can't say enough about them..Everyone I know has used Avent and they loved it.
Not to mention that my son never had gas problems again.
(He's now 4 yrs old)

I hope this helped.

Good luck and congratulations on your new addition!

Hi E.-
~the aquarium tub is great. we loved using the hammock. most people do not realize that the tub actually fits over the middle part of the sink (if you have a double sink). We used it until my son was 5 months old. he loved relaxing in it! Just make sure the tub isn't adjustable - those leak!
~we use the diaper dekor instead of the diaper genie. heard it keeps the room smelling fresher. only prob is the refills are only at b-r-us and are pricey. so far so good though.
~started with dr brown bottles too. exclusively breastfed until 6 months. had a heard time finding a bottle my son would take. We ended up with the avent. we tried a bunch of different ones. Then, I just bought more nipples and used those in the dr brown bottles. after having to wash bottles everyday, there are too many parts! the avent are supposed to have the same no colic/gas affect as dr browns.
~make sure the thermometer has a fast reading time - 10 sec or less! And test it first on yourself since it is an oral one too. Ours consistantly said 93 or 94 degrees. Obviously I couldn't test it after using it rectally on my son so we had to buy a new one! Get thermo covers and vaseline too!

I've used the diaper genie for both of my children and I think its the best thing they ever made. It definately keeps the odor away.

I personally love the platex nurser bottles. To me they are more sanitary and they are better on the gas situation. My son is 15 months old and has yet to have a gas problem. They are a real convience when you are gone for a long trip or something you can just throw away the liner and go about your day. As for as the diaper genie it was never any use to me.

I was also told about the Dr. Brown bottles by a friend who loved them. I used Playtex drop-in bottles with my previous two boys and all was good but I did switch with my latest son to the Dr. Brown. I ended up wasting my money because he wouldn't take the bottle. I also strictly breastfeed but I pump and use those if my husband and I need a night out. I went back to using the Playtex with the latex nipple. I'm guessing that this is the type that best resembles my nipple. They have also improved them so they are more like a mothers nipple. I've found that it is all up to what nipple most resembles yours, much with a pacifier. I went through many different style pacifiers until I found one he would take. Good Luck! And kudoos for breastfeeding!
I would also take back the Diaper Genie and exchange it for the Diaper Champ. I've used both and much prefer the Diaper Champ.

Trust me, take the diaper genie and refill back and exchange it for a Diaper Champ (retails for 29.99). The Diaper Champ will take regular trash bags, no nasty smell in the house and it's soooo much easier to use! I love mine so much I have two (one upstairs and one downstairs).

I can tell you from experience, I don't like the Dr.Brown bottles at all, they leak. I still have new bottles from a year ago. I liked the plain simple bottles better.

As far as the tub and thermometer, I have no clue. the thermometer I use came in a case with the sucky bulb, clippers, etc. and it takes almost 90sec.!!! sucks when you hear of the one that someone else wrote about that takes 2sec.

As far as the Dr. Brown's, I LOOOOOVE them. My baby is 5months old and has been using them since we came home from teh hospital. I wasn't able to breastfeed, but would pump and use the bottles. She has never spit up or had much gas, as we realized that the formula needed to be changed to soy, and we hadn't had a problem since. You're not supposed to heat the bottle with the tube in it or it may leak. I do it, i just take off the nipple part, i guess it leaks due to pressure. I also use the playtex drop ins but normally just when i'm out on the road. SHe drinks better from the DR. Browns and just chews on the nipple for playtex. Dr. Browns also come with different size nipples, newborn-3mos, 3-6mos, the y cuts, etc.

I found the diaper genie to be a waste. My friend had warned me about it, but I didn't listen. It's too much time consuming and confusing and it still stunk. I just use a small trash bin like the ones in the bathroom and empty it out when it gets full. Since it's small, you have to trash it sooner, and it won't stink. I say just use a regular trash can... you save money, trash bags, and it's only one to throw out not 2 or 3. Save time and enjoy the baby. COngrats!

Hi E.,
I used the same tub with the hammock and it really gave my guy support when he was too small to lay in the baby tub. I used it until his little legs hung off the edge :)
I use the diaper genie and it has worked for me. I don't like having to always buy the refills - maybe you should opt for the one that takes a real trash bag.
I use Avent bottles, but my sister-in-law uses the Dr. Brown bottles and loves them.
I have used the rectal thermometer because I found it was more accurate.
Good Luck with all your new stuff!

DR. browns bottles are great. they work well for the baby.
congratulations

diaper genie was not one of my favorites i alaways tell my friends who are expecting do not register for one, or if you recieve it, exchange it for something else. It was very confusing to empty all of them out and to reload ect.... Hope that advice helps :0) I just put the wet diapers in a plastic trash bag and threw it in the garbage

hey the aquarium tub is super nice. i got one with my second daughter. the only thing is that for such an expensive bath tub (like $30) i only used it a few times. to be honest with 2 kids i found it easier to bath my little one in the sink or just put her in the bath or shower with either me or my husband. so basically when i used it i really liked it, but for as little as i used it i wish i would have taken it back and put the money towards things that i would have really needed.

Hi there, E. -

I only have experience using the Diaper Genie, which I think is comical at best and a waste of time/money at worst. We got one for my first child's baby shower, and once we figured out how to use it, we couldn't understand why going to such lengths just to make a "diaper sausage" was any more efficient than wrapping poopy diapers in plastic grocery sacks. That's what we do until this day. I would replace the Diaper Genie with something more useful like diaper supplies. Have fun!

Take the Diaper Genie back adn get the Diaper Champ.. you wont have to pay for costly refills... just get lightly scented garbage bags 7.99 for like 100 or so. The diaper champ contains all the smells and lasts alot longer than the genie.

I have the aquarium tub..its ok .. I would have rather gotten a smaller on that would fit into the sink.

dr. browns bottles I honesly dont know ... I am breastfeeding and only give her pumped when necessary and I use the playtex ventair natural shape nurser.

Good luck !!!!
T.

Hi E., congrats on your baby!

I really wanted a diaper genie for my first - never got it. Now I had my 3rd child almost two years ago and I finally got the diaper genie - wow! WHAT a disappointment. It was difficult to operate to put the diapers in and then when we needed to empty it , it became this big production because the cutter on it never worked right..I would have prefered something I could operate with my foot to lift the lid...my suggestion is to check out baby store websites and read the reviews...like babies r us.
As far as bathing I would put one or two towel on the counter (knowing they would get wet) wrap her in another towel then I would start from the top down bathing and only unwrap her as I went down always trying to keep her warm of course that's when she was brand new. As she got older I used the sink, it is much easier on your back that way. I did get the little tub for my shower but only used it a few times cuz it was more a bother then a help.
Good luck

I use Avent bottles but have heard good things about Dr. Browns.

About the Diaper Genie, I think it's a waste of money. I used it for a couple months and it got rancid, quick! My friend has the Diaper Champ, and same thing.... she ended up throwing it out after a few months. Basically if you're placing soiled dipers in there (not just wet ones) they will permeate the container and stink up the room. So I threw out the gross Diaper Genie and got a diaper pail from Babies R Us ("Easy Saver Diaper Pail" you can see it online) that uses regular 8 gallon trash bags. I keep a small trash can in there also with gocery sacks and I tie up dirty diapers and take them immediately to the garage trash. I only keep wet diapers in the nursery and empty it a couple times a week and spray it with Lysol. It's worked out GREAT, and since the diaper pail was only $15 I figured if I needed to buy another one in a few months I was still coming out ahead from buying Diaper Genie refills. Congratulations and good luck!

Dr. Browns are great!! 2 of 3 of my kids were colic and all 3 had formula "sensitivities" actually one of them was completely allergic to formula!! anyway, Dr. Browns saved me!! I was not able to breast feed, so i had to get the "specialty" formulas.. anyway, they can be a little hard to clean, i just soaked the parts in warm soapy water to get them clean- other than that they are great! I personally don't like the diaper genie, i had one and the bags are very complicated to change, there is one called diaper champ that "seals in" the smell but uses regular trash bags.. my best friend uses it w/ her baby and you can't smell a thing! I asked my doctor about the accuracy of a digital, they use the digital ear therm. at my ped's office. they love it and said as long as you keep the batteries fresh it stays accurate. I don't know about the rectal/underarm - but Braun thermoscan is a good ear digital, it reads in like 1-2 sec.'s (which is great when your baby is screaming w/ a fever!) they are like 30 or 40 dollars, but worth it! and i don't know anything about the tub.. but i hope this info helps! best of luck w/ your new baby..

E.,
1. LOVED the Aquarium hammock tub...my son is 10 months and just stopped using it last month.
2. I actually have the diaper dekor, which worked better for me because there is no twisting in the middle of the night when you don't have a free hand.
3. I heard good things about these bottles, but I only nursed for the first 6 months...after that my son would only use the drop in bottles because they allowed him to hold it at any position and get food...ALSO, he would not take bottles from me for a while, so don't stress if he wants the real stuff :)
4. All of the basic thermometers for under the arm are about the same. If the temp is high enough to worry about, there isn't much difference between 102.1 and 102.3

Good luck, this is an awesome time :) Even when you are tired and sleep deprived know that it only gets better!

I LOVE the Dr. Brown's bottles. My son had reflux really bad and they were the best bottles on the market. We tried everything. We tried the Avent bottle, the Playtex dropins, the plane jane old fashion bottles, everything and nothing worked but Dr. Brown's.

I researched all the diaper pails and we ended up getting the "Diaper Champ" because with it you can use regular trash bags, you can even get the scented ones at the dollar tree, and with the Diaper Genie and others that take special bags if the change the model and stop making the refills you are out of luck. We wanted to be able to use it for all of our children and not have to worry about the expensive refills. JMO

Good Luck

E. J

thermometer is good I used that kind when she was an infant then I got an ear one way better for toddlers because it only takes a second as far as a tub I used the kitchen sink till she couldnt fit anymore I had a tub and only used it once..(for her first bath) the sink was way easier I thought...good luck!

The Dr. Brown's bottles are fantastic. I wish we had known about them with our first daughter! Neither one of my babies would breast feed due to them both having very bad acid reflux. These bottles eliminate the baby sucking in air while drinking. The only thing with these bottles is many people have never used them before. This means that babysitters, sunday school nursery caregivers, grandparents are not used to them. You need to take just a little extra time so that if someone else is watching your baby during a feeding they know how to put the bottle together correctly...otherwise it leaks!

We switched from the Diaper Genie to the Diaper Champ after we broke our Diaper Genie. The Diaper Champ takes regular trash bags and didn't smell with my 1st daughter until she was about 18 mos. old.

Congratulations on both your babies!

I recommend the aquarium tub because we have it and DH likes it. I would tell you to change the diaper genie to a diaper champ so that way you can use your own garbage bags. I can't help you with the bottles because I am using ventair from playtex. A thermometer is always a good idea to have and I had to buy mine.

We used Dr. Browns and they are wonderful!! Alot of piece to wash but really help with gas.